Guennoc

Guennoc is a figure associated with Breton folklore and hagiography. He is often depicted as a Breton saint, although the historical details of his life are scant and intertwined with legend. His name is sometimes rendered in English as Guenoc or Winnoc.

The most prominent association with Guennoc is the village of Saint-Guénolé in Finistère, Brittany, France. This location is traditionally believed to be the site of his monastic foundation. According to some accounts, he was a disciple of Saint Bude or Saint Budoc, and later established his own religious community.

Legends surrounding Guennoc often involve miraculous events and his interactions with the natural world. Some tales describe his ability to control animals or to perform feats of healing. The exact period of his life is uncertain, with various traditions placing him anywhere from the 5th to the 7th century.

While Guennoc is revered in Brittany, he is not as widely known internationally as some other Celtic saints. His cult is primarily centered around his namesake village and the surrounding region, where local churches and chapels are dedicated to him. The historical accuracy of many of the stories about Guennoc is difficult to ascertain due to the passage of time and the nature of early medieval hagiography, which often blends fact with myth. Nevertheless, he remains an important figure in the religious and cultural landscape of Brittany.